Garment and brassiere

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the present invention provides a garment capable of improving a fit of cups for a wearer. 
     A brassiere  1  includes a pair of cups  10, 11  covering breasts of a wearer and back parts  12, 13  extended on the outer sides of the respective cups  10. 11,  the back parts  12, 13  covering underarms and a back of the wearer. An angle α formed by a first imaginary line L 1  connecting tops S 1,  S 2  of the right and left cups  10, 11  and a second imaginary line L 2  connecting the top S 1,  S 2  of each cup  10, 11  and the center S 3,  S 4  of an outer end of each back part  12, 13,  is within the range of ±5°, as viewed from the front side of the cups  10, 11.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-007618, filed on Jan. 19, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present invention relates to a garment and a brassiere.

Description of Related Art

A brassiere, being an item of women's underwear, may include, for example: a pair of cups covering the breasts of the wearer; and back parts extending on the outer side of the cups so as to cover the underarms and the back of the wearer. In general, a conventional brassiere has a configuration in which the back parts extend outward from lower parts of the respective cups and the position of the back parts is lower than the position of the cups, as viewed from the front side of the brassiere (see JP2015-212435 A).

However, since the above-mentioned conventional brassiere is configured such that the tightening force for the wearer of the brassiere mainly acts on or around the lower part of the cups, the tops or upper parts of the cups are likely to become separated from the skin of the wearer, which degrades the fit of the cups for the wearer. In particular, in brassieres having no straps for supporting the cups, or in those having large-sized cups, the cups are more likely to be separated and the fit thereof is further degraded.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and an object of the invention is to provide a garment having cups, such as a brassiere, which is capable of improving the fit of the cups for a wearer.

A garment according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of cups covering breasts of a wearer; and back parts extended on outer sides of the respective cups, the back parts covering underarms and a back of the wearer, wherein an angle formed by a first imaginary line connecting tops of a right cup and a left cup of the pair of cups and a second imaginary line connecting the top of each cup and a center of an outer end of each of the back parts, is within a range of ±5°, as viewed from a front side of the cups.

According to such aspect, since the position of the cups and the position of the back parts are in a similar height when the garment is worn and the position of the back parts is relatively higher, with respect to the position of the cups, than those of the conventional brassieres, a large tightening force can act on the wearer of the garment from the entirety of the cups. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the fit of the cups for the wearer.

In the above-mentioned garment, an increased friction part may be provided at an upper part of a rear surface of each of the cups, the increased friction part being more stretchable than the remainder of the rear surface of the cup and having a large friction in an up and down direction. It should be noted that the “upper part of the rear surface of the cup” as used herein refers to part or all of the upper half of the cup.

According to such aspect, the upper parts of the cups are brought into closer contact with the upper parts of the breasts of the wearer due to the stretchability of the increased friction part, and the slippage of the cups is suppressed due to the friction of the increased friction part in the upper parts of the cups. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the fit of the cups for the wearer, while suppressing the slippage of the cups.

The increased friction part may be provided along an upper edge of the rear surface of the cup. According to such aspect, the increased friction part can be arranged at an effective position with respect to the wearer and the slippage of the cups can be suppressed more effectively.

The increased friction part may be provided continuously from an outer end of one of the pair of cups to an outer end of the other cup. According to such aspect, since a friction can be exerted continuously across the right and left cups, the slippage of the cups can be suppressed more effectively.

The increased friction part may have a larger friction in the up and down direction than in a right and left direction. According to such aspect, since the increased friction part has a large friction in the up and down direction and is more easily movable in the right and left direction, closer contact between the increased friction part and the upper parts of the breasts can be achieved and the slippage of the cups can be suppressed more effectively.

The increased friction part may include a plurality of ridges extending in the right and left direction of the cups, the ridges being arranged one above the other in the up and down direction. With such configuration, the friction in the up and down direction of the increased friction part can be increased appropriately.

A back increased-friction part may be provided on a rear surface of each of the back parts, the back increased-friction part being more stretchable than the remainder of the rear surface of the cup and having a large friction in the up and down direction. According to such aspect, the closer contact with the wearer can also be achieved in the back parts and the friction can also be increased in the back parts. As a result, it is possible to suppress the slippage of the cups more effectively. In particular, the configuration in which the increased friction part is provided in the cups and the back increased-friction parts are provided in the back parts can increase the friction across the entire circumference of the trunk of the wearer, which makes it possible to suppress the slippage of the cups which would result from a partial slippage of the garment.

The back increased-friction part may be provided on the entire rear surface of the back part. According to such aspect, the friction of the back parts can be exerted to the maximum level.

The back increased-friction part may have a larger friction in the right and left direction than in the up and down direction. According to such aspect, the back increased-friction parts have a large friction in the up and down direction and are more easily movable in the right and left direction. As a result, it is possible to achieve closer contact between the back increased-friction parts and the wearer, as well as being possible to suppress the slippage of the cups more effectively.

The back increased-friction part may include a plurality of ridges extending in the right and left direction of the back part, the ridges being arranged one above the other in the up and down direction. According to such aspect, the friction of the back increased-friction parts can be appropriately increased in the up and down direction.

Each of the back parts may have a stretchable tape embedded therein, the stretchable tape being stretchable in the right and left direction; and the stretchable tape may have a higher elastic recovery force in the right and left direction than the back increased-friction part. According to such aspect, the tightening force with respect to the wearer of the garment can be increased due to the stretchable tape, whereby it is possible to achieve closer contact between the increased friction part of the cups and the breasts of the wearer, as well as to achieve closer contact between the back increased-friction parts of the back parts and the wearer. As a result, a large friction acts between the increased friction parts of the cups, as well as the back increased-friction parts of the back parts, and the wearer, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups.

The stretchable tape may be provided at an upper part of the back part, the upper part being located on an extended line extending on an outer side from the increased friction part of the cup. According to such aspect, the stretching force of the stretchable tape directly or effectively acts on the increased friction part, which can bring the increased friction part into closer contact with the breasts of the wearer. As a result, a large friction acts between the increased friction part of the cups and the wearer, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups.

The stretchable tape may also be provided at a lower part of the back part. According to such aspect, the tightening force with respect to the wearer of the garment can further be increased due to the stretchable tape, whereby it is possible to achieve closer contact between the increased friction part of the cups and the breasts of the wearer, as well as to achieve closer contact between the back increased-friction parts of the back parts and the wearer. As a result, a large friction acts between the increased friction part of the cups, as well as the back increased-friction parts of the back parts, and the wearer, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups.

The stretchable tape may be attached onto an inner surface of the back increased-friction part. According to such aspect, the stretchable tape presses the back increased-friction parts tightly against the wearer. As a result, since the closer contact between the back increased-friction parts and the wearer can be achieved and the friction between the back increased-friction parts and the wearer can be effectively increased, it is possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups.

The garment may be or may not be provided with straps extending from the respective cups, via shoulders of the wearer, to the respective back parts, the straps being formed so as to be detachable from the garment. According to such aspect, even when the straps are not used, the fit of the cups for the wearer can still be improved.

The above-mentioned garment may further comprise a shape retaining member arranged along a lower part of each of the cups, the shape retaining member retaining a shape of the cup, and the shape retaining member may be made of a resin. According to such aspect, the shape-retaining parts can deform according to the shapes of the breasts of the wearer and it is therefore possible to achieve even closer contact between the cups and the breasts of the wearer. As a result, the fit of the cups for the wearer can be further improved.

The above-mentioned garment may be a brassiere.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a garment capable of improving the fit of cups for the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a brassiere from a front side thereof.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the brassiere from a rear side thereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of a cup of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an increased friction part of the cup.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a back part.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a back increased-friction part of the back part.

FIG. 8 is an illustration explaining imaginary lines as viewed from the front side of the brassiere.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a state in which the brassiere is worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals denote similar components and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted. The positional relationships such as upper, lower, right and left are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings, unless otherwise indicated. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to those shown in the drawings. The following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention and the present invention is not limited to such embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a brassiere 1, being a garment according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a front side thereof. FIG. 2 is a view showing the brassiere 1 as viewed from a rear side thereof. The brassiere 1 may include, for example: a pair of cups 10, 11 covering breasts of a wearer; back parts 12, 13 extending on the outer sides of the cups 10, 11, respectively, so as to cover underarms and a back of the wearer; engagement parts 14, 15 extending on the outer sides of the back parts 12, 13, respectively, so as to engage the back parts 12, 13 with each other; straps 16, 17 which respectively extend from the cups 10, 11, via the shoulders of the wearer, to the back parts 12, 13. For example, the cups 10, 11, the back parts 12, 13 and the engagement parts 14, 15 may be formed separately and connected to each other by sewing or the like.

The cups 10, 11 are formed in a belt-like shape as a whole which is elongated in a right and left direction, as viewed from the front side. Each of the right and left cups 10, 11 is formed in a bowl-like shape projected frontward so as to correspond to the shapes of the breasts of the wearer. An upper edge of each cup 10, 11 is curved so as to be projected upward as viewed from the front side. An upper edge of a connecting portion between the cups 10, 11 (a central part between the cups 10, 11) is curved so as to be projected downward. Accordingly, the upper edge of the cups 10, 11 as a whole is substantially “M” shaped. A lower edge of each cup 10, 11 is slightly curved so as to be projected downward. A lower edge of the central part between the cups 10, 11 is slightly curved so as to be projected upward. Accordingly, the lower edge of the cups 10, 11 as a whole is substantially “W” shaped.

The cups 10, 11 each have a laminate structure having a plurality of layers as shown in FIG. 3. For example, each of the cups 10, 11 may include, from the rear side toward the front side, a lining fabric layer 30, an inner interior layer 31, a central interior layer 32, an outer interior layer 33 and a front fabric layer 34, in the order mentioned.

The front fabric layer 34 may be made of, for example, nylon fibers, The inner interior layer 31, the central interior layer 32 and the outer interior layer 33 may be molded using, for example, urethane foam. The central interior layer 32 may be provided so as to extend, for example, from a central part in an up and down direction toward a lower part of the cup 10. Thus, the central interior layer 32 does not exist in the upper part of the cup 10 and the inner interior layer 31 and the outer interior layer 33 are directly in contact with each other in the upper part of the cup 10. A resin wire 60 (to be described layer) passes between the central interior layer 32 and the outer interior layer 33 in the lower part of each cup 10, 11. It should be noted that the material of the front fabric layer 34 is not particularly limited and may be any material having a low friction, and continuous fibers of polyester, rayon, etc. may be used in addition to the above-mentioned nylon fibers. Although the materials of the inner interior layer 31, the central interior layer 32 and the outer interior layer 33 are not particularly limited, stretchable materials are favorable.

The lining fabric layer 30 is divided into an upper part and the remainder, which are made of two different fabrics. In the upper part of the lining fabric layer 30, an increased friction part 40 is formed along the upper edge of each cup 10, 11. In the remainder of the lining fabric layer 30, other than the increased friction part 40, a lining fabric part 41 is formed. The increased friction part 40 is more stretchable than the lining fabric part 41 and has a large friction (coefficient of friction) in an up and down direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the increased friction part 40 may be formed in, for example, an elongated belt-like shape having a constant width in the up and down direction. The width in the up and down direction of the increased friction part 40 is preferably 40 mm or less, so that the increased friction part 40 does not extend over a nipple of the wearer (the top part of each cup). The increased friction part 40 comprises a predetermined knitted texture including elastic fibers and has a high stretchability. As shown in FIG. 4, the increased friction part 40 includes a plurality of ridges 50 constituted by the knitted texture, the ridges 50 extending in the right and left direction of the cups 10, 11 and arranged one above the other in the up and down direction. It should be noted that, although FIG. 4 shows the increased friction part 40 of the cup 11, the cup 10 is bilaterally symmetrical to the cup 11 and has the same configuration as the cup 11. With the above-mentioned configuration, the increased friction part 40 has a larger friction in the up and down direction than in the right and left direction. Examples of the fibers of the increased friction part 40 may include urethane fibers and nylon fibers. Elastic fibers such as urethane fibers may be used as the fibers for the ridges 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the increased friction part 40 is continuously provided from an outer end 10 a of the cup 10 to an outer end 11 a of the cup 11. That is, the increased friction part 40 is formed substantially in an “M” shape across the entire upper part of the cups 10, 11 including the central part 20 therebetween.

The lining fabric part 41, being the remainder of the lining fabric layer 30, other than the increased friction part 40, may be formed of, for example a fabric of nylon fibers having a low elasticity and a small friction. Thus, the lining fabric part 41 has a lower stretchability and a smaller friction than the increased friction part 40. The material of the lining fabric part 41 may preferably be nylon fibers which have a higher frictional resistance (slippery) than the nylon fibers of the front fabric layer 34, examples of which may include a material formed of thinner threads than the material of the front fabric layer 34. The lining fabric part 41 may alternatively be formed of a cotton material or a napped material.

Each cup 10, 11 is provided with a resin wire 60 (shape retaining member) for retaining the shape of the cup 10, 11. The resin wire 60 is made of a resin and is more flexible and lighter than metals. The resin wire 60 is arranged in the lower part of each cup 10, 11 and curved so as to be projected downward. The resin wire 60 is sandwiched between the central interior layer 32 and the outer interior layer 33 as shown in FIG. 3. Further, a resin wire 70 is also provided near the outer end 10 a, 11 a, of each cup 10, 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The resin wire 70 is arranged linearly in the up and down direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the back parts 12, 13 are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape whose width in the up and down direction decreases toward the outer end thereof. The back parts 12, 13 may each include, for example, a front fabric layer 80, a lining fabric layer 81 and a stretchable tape 82, 83, as shown in FIG. 6. The front fabric layer 80 may be made of the same material as the materials of the front fabric layer 34 and the lining fabric part 41 of the lining fabric layer 30 of the cups, which may be for example, nylon fibers. The material of the front fabric layer 80 is not particularly limited and may be any material having a low friction, and continuous fibers of polyester, rayon, etc. may be used in addition to the above-mentioned nylon fibers.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lining fabric layer 81 may serve as a back increased-friction part 90 which is more stretchable than the lining fabric part 41 of the cups 10, 11 and has a large friction in the up and down direction. The back increased-friction part 90 is provided on the entire rear surface of each back part 12, 13. It should be noted that the phrase “the entire rear surface of the back part” as used herein encompasses not only the entire rear surface but also substantially the entire rear surface, which may be, for example, the entire rear surface excluding an outer frame portion, as in the present embodiment. Although FIGS. 5-7 show the back part 13, the back part 12 is bilaterally symmetrical to the back part 13 and has the same configuration as the back part 13.

For example, the back increased-friction part 90 comprises a predetermined knitted texture including elastic fibers, similarly to the increased friction part 40, and has a high stretchability. The back increased-friction part 90 includes a plurality of ridges 100 constituted by the knitted texture, the ridges 100 extending in the right and left direction of the back part 12, 13 and arranged one above the other in the up and down direction. With such configuration, the back increased-friction part 90 has a larger friction in the up and down direction than in the right and left direction. Examples of the fibers of the back increased-friction part 90 may include urethane fibers and nylon fibers. Elastic fibers such as urethane fibers may be used as the fibers for the ridges 100.

The stretchable tapes 82, 83 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be, for example, a rubber tape which has a higher elastic recovery force (higher resilience) in the right and left direction than the back increased-friction part 90 of the lining fabric layer 81. The stretchable tapes 82, 83 are embedded between the front fabric layer 89 and the lining fabric layer 81 and are not exposed to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stretchable tapes 82, 83 extend in the right and left direction across the lining fabric layer 81 of each back part 12, 13. The stretchable tapes 82, 83 are provided in an upper part and a lower part, respectively, of each back part 12, 13. The upper stretchable tape 82 is provided on an outer extended line of the increased friction part 40 of each cup 10, 11. The stretchable tape 82 has a width in the up and direction which is similar to that of the increased friction part 40. The lower stretchable tape 83 is provided along a lower edge of each back part 12, 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stretchable tapes 82, 83 are attached to the inner side of the back increased-friction part 90 of the lining fabric layer 81 by, for example, sewing. The stretchable tapes 82, 83 do not adhere to the front fabric layer 80. The attachment method of the stretchable tapes 82, 83 is not particularly limited and may be pressure bonding, thermal compression bonding, etc.

The back parts 12, 13 are located at a height similar to the height of the cups 10, 11, as viewed from the front side of the brassiere 1 as shown in FIG. 8, and are thus provided at a higher position with respect to the cups 10, 11 than the back parts of conventional brassieres. Specifically, an angle α formed by: a first imaginary line L1 connecting the tops S1, S2 (the highest position with respect to the plane of the page of the drawing) of the respective right and left cups 10, 11; and each of second imaginary lines L2 connecting the respective tops S1, S2 of the cups 10, 11 and respective center points S3, S4 of the respective outer ends of the back parts 12, 13, as viewed from the front side of the cups 10, 11, is within the range of +/−5°, preferably within the range of from −5° to +2°, more preferably within the range of +/−2° (with angles in the downward direction with respect to the imaginary line L1 being defined as positive angles). It should be noted that the center points S3, S4 are the centers of the respective lines in the up and down direction on the outer ends of the respective back parts 12, 13 (the boundaries between the respective back parts 12, 13 and the respective engagement parts 14, 15).

A length D2 in the lower edge of each back part 12, 13 is of a similar magnitude to a length D1 of the upper edge of each back part 12, 13 or longer than the length D1 of the upper edge, and the ratio of the length D1 of the upper edge of each back part 12, 13 to the length D2 of the lower edge thereof (D1/D2) is 1 or less, preferably less than 1.0 and not less than 0.8. In addition, the difference between the length D1 of the upper edge and the length D2 of the lower edge is from 5% to 15%, preferably about 13%. Further, an angle β formed by: the boundary 95 between the back parts 12, 13 and the cups 10, 11; and an imaginary line L3 extending in the up and down direction so as to be perpendicular to the imaginary line L1, is in the range of from 0° to 5° (with angles in the inward direction with respect to the imaginary line L3 being defined as positive angles). An imaginary line L4 connecting the lowermost ends of the cups 10, 11 does not overlap the back parts 12, 13.

One of the engagement parts 14, 15 is provided with a hook and the other one is provided with a catch which receives the hook.

The straps 16, 17 extend from around the respective centers in the right and left direction of the upper ends of the respective cups 10, 11 to around the respective centers in the right and left direction of the upper ends of the respective back parts 12, 13. The straps 16, 17 may be detachable from, for example, the main body of the brassiere 1.

According to the present embodiment, since the angle a formed by: the first imaginary line L1 connecting the tops S1, S2 of the right and left cups 10, 11; and each of the second imaginary lines L2 connecting the respective tops S1, S2 of the cups 10, 11 and the respective center points S3, S4 of the respective outer ends of the back parts 12, 13, as viewed from the front side of the cups 10, 11, is within the range of +/−5°, the position of the cups 10, 11 when worn by a wearer is at a similar level to the position of the back parts 12, 13 and the position of the back parts 12, 13 is higher with respect to the position of the cups 10, 11, as compared to the back parts of the conventional brassieres. In the conventional brassieres, the back parts are provided at a lower position with respect to the cups with the angle α being +20° or more and the length of the lower edge of the back part being longer than the length of the upper edge thereof. According to the present embodiment, since the tightening force of the brassiere 1 against the wearer greatly acts on the entire cups 10 and 11 when the back parts 12, 13 are engaged with each other as shown in FIG. 9, closer contact between the cups 10, 11 of the brassiere 1 and the wearer can be achieved. As a result, the fit of the cups 10 and 11 for the wearer can be improved. In addition, it is possible to suppress slippage of the cups 10, 11.

According to the present embodiment, the upper part of the rear surface of each cup 10, 11 is provided with the increased-friction part 40 which is more stretchable than the remainder (lining fabric part 41) of the rear surface of the cup 10, 11 and has a large friction in the up and down direction. The stretchability of the increased friction part 40 can help bring the upper part of the cup 10, 11 into closer contact with the upper part of the breast of the wearer and the large friction of the increased friction part 40 in the upper part of the cup 10, 11 suppresses the slippage of the cup 10, 11. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the fit of the cups 10, 11 for the wearer while suppressing the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

Since the increased friction part 40 is provided along the upper edge of the rear surface of the cup 10, 11, the increased friction part 40 is arranged at an effective position which is capable of effectively suppressing the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

Since the increased friction part 40 is provided continuously from the outer end 10 a of one cup 10 to the outer end 11 a of the other cup 11, the increased friction part 40 can continuously exert its friction across the right and left cups 10, 11 without the increased friction part 40 being discontinued even at the central part 20 (corresponding to the breast cleavage) between the cups 10, 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11 more effectively.

Since the increased friction part 40 has a larger friction in the up and down direction than in the right and left direction, the increased friction part 40 causes a large friction in the up and down direction while being relatively moveable in the right and left direction. As a result, it is possible to achieve closer contact between the increased friction part 40 and the upper part of the breasts, which makes it possible to suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11 even more effectively.

The increased friction part 40 has the plurality of ridges 50 extending in the right and left direction of the cups 10, 11 and arranged one above the other in the up and down direction. With such configuration, the friction of the increased friction part 40 can be appropriately increased in the up and down direction.

The rear surface of each back part 12, 13 is provided with the back increased-friction part 90 which is more stretchable and has a larger friction in the up and down direction than the remainder (lining fabric part 41) of the rear surface of the cup 10, 11 other than the increased friction part 40. With such configuration, closer contact and an increased friction can also be achieved between the back parts 12, 13 and the wearer. As a result, it is possible to suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11 even more effectively. In particular, the configuration of providing the increased friction part 40 in the cups 10, 11 and the back increased-friction parts 90 in the back parts 12, 13 can increase the friction in the entire circumference of the trunk of the wearer and suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11 which would result from the slippage of part of the brassiere 1.

Since the back increased-friction part 90 is provided on the entire rear surface of each back part 12, 13, it is possible to cause the friction of the back part 12, 13 to be exerted to the maximum extent possible.

Since the back increased-friction part 90 has a larger friction in the up and down direction than in the right and left direction, the back increased-friction part 90 causes a large friction in the up and down direction while being relatively moveable in the right and left direction. As a result, it is possible to achieve closer contact between the back increased-friction part 90 and the wearer and it is therefore possible to suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11 even more effectively.

The back increased-friction part 90 has a plurality of ridges 100 extending in the right and left direction of the back part 12, 13, the ridges 100 being arranged one above the other in the up and down direction. With such configuration, it is possible to appropriately increase the friction of the back increased-friction part 90 in the up and down direction.

The pack parts 12, 13 each have the stretchable tapes 82, 83 embedded therein, the stretchable tapes being stretchable in the right and left direction and having an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of the back increased-friction part 90 in the right and left direction. With such configuration, the stretchable tapes 82, 83 increase the tightening force with respect to the wearer of the brassiere 1, which achieves closer contact between the increased friction part 40 of the cups 10, 11 and the breasts of the wearer (a better fit therebetween) and closer contact between the back increased-friction parts 90 of the back parts 12, 13 and the wearer (a better fit therebetween). As a result, a large friction acts between the increased friction part 40 of the cups 10, 11, as well as the back increased-friction parts 90 of the back parts 12, 13, and the wearer, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

Since the stretchable tape 82 is provided at the upper part of each back part 12, 13, which is located on an extended line extending on the outer side from the increased friction part 40 of the cup 10, 11, the stretching force of the stretchable tape 82 directly or effectively acts on the increased friction part 40, whereby the increased friction part 40 can be brought into closer contact with the breasts of the wearer. As a result, a large friction acts between the increased friction part 40 of the cups 10, 11 and the wearer, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

Since the stretchable tape 83 is also provided at the lower part of each back part 12, 13, it is possible to achieve closer contact between the increased friction part 40 of the cups 10, 11 and the breasts of the wearer, as well as to achieve closer contact between the back increased-friction parts 90 of the back parts 12, 13 and the wearer. As a result, a large friction acts between the increased friction part 40 of the cups 10, 11, as well as the back increased-friction parts 90 of the back parts 12, 13, and the wearer, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

Since the stretchable tapes 82, 83 are attached to the inner surface of each back increased-friction part 90, the back increased-friction part 90 is tightly pressed against the wearer due to the stretchable tapes 82, 83. As a result, closer contact between the back increased-friction part 90 and the wearer is achieved and the friction between the back part 12, 13 and the back increased-friction part 90 is effectively increased, which makes it possible to effectively suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

The brassiere 1 includes straps 16, 17 which respectively extend from the cups 10, 11, via the shoulders of the wearer, to the back parts 12, 13, and the straps 16, 17 may be detachable from the brassiere 1. In other words, the brassiere 1 is wearable without the use of such straps 16, 17. In general, when the straps 16, 17 are not used, it is more likely that the cups 10, 11 will become separated from the breasts of the wearer or slip down therefrom. However, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the separation of the cups 10, 11 from the breasts of the wearer and the slippage of the cups 10, 11 therefrom. When the straps 16 and 17 are not used, large-sized cups are more likely to slip down and it has been difficult, in practice, to use a brassiere 1 having such large-sized cups without the use of the straps 16, 17. However, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to use even the brassiere 1 with large-sized cups without the use of the straps 16, 17.

The brassiere 1 is provided with the resin wire 60 which is arranged along the lower part of the cups 10, 11 in order to retain the shape of the cups 10, 11. Since the resin wire 60 is lighter than metal wiring and is easily deformable, it deforms according to the shapes of the breasts of the wearer, to thereby achieve closer contact between the cups 10, 11 and the breasts of the wearer. As a result, it is possible to improve the fit of the cups 10, 11 for the wearer. Further, the friction between the cups 10, 11 and the wearer can be increased, which makes it possible to suppress the slippage of the cups 10, 11.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to such example. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various types of changes and modifications within the range of ideas to be set forth in the scope of the claims and it should be understood that such changes and modifications belong to the technical scope of the present invention as a matter of course.

For example, the knitted textures of the increased friction part 40 and the back increased-friction parts 90 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. The back increased-friction parts 90 may or may not be provided. The positions and shapes of the increased friction part 40 and the back increased-friction parts 90 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. For example, the increased friction part 40 may not be continuously provided in the right and left direction. Although the cups 10, 11 and the back parts 12, 13 are formed separately and sewn together in the above embodiment, the cups 10,11 and the back parts 12, 13 may be integrally formed. Although the straps 16, 17 are formed so as to be detachable in the above embodiment, the brassiere 1 may be formed strapless, i.e. without any straps 16, 17. Although the brassiere has been described as an example of a garment in the above embodiment, the present invention may also be applicable to any garments having a pair of cups, such as other forms of underwear provided with cups.

For reference, the garment may be configured so as to comprise a pair of cups covering the breasts of a wearer, and back parts extended on the outer sides of the respective cups, the back parts covering the underarms and the back of the wearer, wherein an increased friction part is provided at an upper part of a rear surface of each cup, the increased friction part being more stretchable than the remainder of the rear surface of the cup and having a large friction in the up and down direction. The configurations of the cups, the back parts and the increased-friction part of such garment may be, for example, the same as those described in the above embodiment. Such garment is capable of suppressing the slippage of cups.

The present invention is useful for providing a garment capable of improving the fit of cups for a wearer. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment, comprising: a pair of cups covering breasts of a wearer; and back parts extended on outer sides of the respective cups, the back parts covering underarms and a back of the wearer, wherein an angle formed by a first imaginary line connecting tops of a right cup and a left cup of the pair of cups and a second imaginary line connecting the top of each cup and a center of an outer end of each of the back parts, is within a range of ±5°, as viewed from a front side of the cups.
 2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein an increased friction part is provided at an upper part of a rear surface of each of the cups, the increased friction part being more stretchable than a remainder of the rear surface of the cup and having a large friction in an up and down direction.
 3. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the increased friction part is provided along an upper edge of the rear surface of the cup.
 4. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the increased friction part is provided continuously from an outer end of one of the pair of cups to an outer end of the other cup.
 5. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the increased friction part has a larger friction in the up and down direction than in a right and left direction.
 6. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the increased friction part includes a plurality of ridges extending in a right and left direction of the cups, the ridges being arranged one above the other in the up and down direction.
 7. The garment according to claim 2, wherein a back increased-friction part is provided on a rear surface of each of the back parts, the back increased-friction part being more stretchable than the remainder of the rear surface of the cup and having a large friction in the up and down direction.
 8. The garment according to claim 7, wherein the back increased-friction part is provided on the entire rear surface of the back part.
 9. The garment according to claim 7, wherein the back increased-friction part has a larger friction in a right and left direction than in the up and down direction.
 10. The garment according to claim 7, wherein the back increased-friction part includes a plurality of ridges extending in a right and left direction of the back part, the ridges being arranged one above the other in the up and down direction.
 11. The garment according to claim 7, wherein: each of the back parts has a stretchable tape embedded therein, the stretchable tape being stretchable in a right and left direction; and the stretchable tape has a higher elastic recovery force in the right and left direction than the back increased-friction part.
 12. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the stretchable tape is provided at an upper part of the back part, the upper part being located on an extended line extending on an outer side from the increased friction part of the cup.
 13. The garment according to claim 12, wherein the stretchable tape is also provided at a lower part of the back part.
 14. The garment according to claim 12, wherein the stretchable tape is attached onto an inner surface of the back increased-friction part.
 15. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is or is not provided with straps extending from the respective cups, via shoulders of the wearer, to the respective back parts, the straps being formed so as to be detachable from the garment.
 16. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising a shape retaining member arranged along a lower part of each of the cups, the shape retaining member retaining a shape of the cup, wherein the shape retaining member is made of a resin.
 17. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is a brassiere. 